General Discussion

Johnny2X2X

(23,625 posts)

40. Excellent post, thanks

Tue Nov 11, 2025, 03:30 PM

Nov 11

"Get a real job."

That sums up some of the sentiment I hear about this topic. As if office work isn't a "real job" and most work for degreed people isn't "value added."

The whole narrative plays off jealousy and plays right into the Right Wing playbook and apparently Project 2025 also.

Will things look different? Yes. And we can't know all the ways it will look different and what the best responses to it will be. But don't go to college is an answer I am quite confident is the wrong one for most young people, just as it has been for my entire life.

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0rganism

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Highlight:

"Learn a Trade!" response to AI fears [View all] Johnny2X2X Nov 11 OP

It makes sense SO FAR TheFarseer Nov 11 #1

I still think inevitable lawsuits are going to slow the "self driving semi" train down. Callie1979 Nov 11 #4

even liberal arts degrees eventually pay off DBoon Nov 11 #2

Even more so in an AI World JCMach1 Nov 11 #18

As they always have Iris Nov 11 #21

I've been saying "learn a trade" my whole life. College is a scam Callie1979 Nov 11 #3

I've had the opposite experience Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #5

GO GREEN.... democratsruletheday Nov 11 #30

I graduated from college with zero debt. hunter Nov 11 #9

True enough about the non-career years of education biophile Nov 11 #10

I've recommended that to many kids. Get most of your hrs at the smaller cheaper places Callie1979 Nov 11 #22

Yes, good idea. biophile Nov 11 #27

Why are you parroting RW billshit? Happy Hoosier Nov 11 #47

Good for you; most dont have parents pay for their school. Trade school made me financially secure. Callie1979 Nov 12 #55

I perfectly cool with people learning a trade, if that's the best choice for them. Happy Hoosier Nov 13 #61

a lot of jobs now that require a degree Skittles Nov 12 #57

Companies requiring a bachelors degree for a job have dropped in recent yrs. Callie1979 Nov 13 #59

"Go to college! Learn to code!" used to be our reprose to workers complaining about automation, outsourcing, and... Lancero Nov 11 #6

If I were a junior engineer starting out Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #7

Good luck getting a junior engineering Boo1 Nov 11 #13

I'm a senior engineer in aerospace Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #14

I agree Boo1 Nov 11 #16

I disagree somewhat Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #19

Are you an engineer? Happy Hoosier Nov 11 #49

No Boo1 Nov 12 #50

Using AI to code is going to create all sorts of jobs for people who can maintain that code... hunter Nov 11 #15

Agree Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #20

I just don't want to be run over by a driverless truck... hunter Nov 11 #26

I cannot wait for the roads to be majority driverless vehicles. Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #31

That sounds dystopian to me. hunter Nov 11 #41

Do both. Trades and college. Don't make this a binary question. CoopersDad Nov 11 #8

It never hurts to be multi-competent! biophile Nov 11 #12

Exactly CD....as I said before, my kid LOVES democratsruletheday Nov 11 #32

Yes, equal time should be given to technical school & college. Callie1979 Nov 12 #56

The belief that going to college is a bad idea is at the forefront of project 2025 policy. patphil Nov 11 #11

Well put Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #17

College was simply not for me. Technical school was. And I retired at 53 Callie1979 Nov 11 #23

Good for you Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #37

This message was self-deleted by its author Stacey Grove Nov 11 #24

It's not a bad idea, but not the right idea for everyone. flvegan Nov 11 #25

Trade jobs are being taken by robots lame54 Nov 11 #28

Glad you started this topic fujiyamasan Nov 11 #29

Solid article on the subject.... democratsruletheday Nov 11 #33

I support everyone going to at least a two-year college before chosing a career LogDog75 Nov 11 #34

I learned a trade Jilly_in_VA Nov 11 #35

BSNs aren't required to do rotations before graduating? Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #39

They do, but it varies Jilly_in_VA Nov 12 #54

The point of education is that it teaches you how to learn and how to think. milestogo Nov 11 #36

LOL Skittles Nov 12 #58

Those who make such suggestions as a response to A.I. don't understand current technology 0rganism Nov 11 #38

Excellent post, thanks Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #40

I think we're a long way from robots who can do plumbing or electrical work... hunter Nov 11 #42

It's always a long way until it's not 0rganism Nov 11 #43

Maybe I'll use AI to create a virus that breaks AI. hunter Nov 11 #45

In the case of AI it's a matter of scale rather than structure 0rganism Nov 12 #52

What I learned in trade school in 1992 still applies today Kaleva Nov 13 #60

AI gets to practice law, medicine, engineering, while humans get to fix the plumbing? tinrobot Nov 11 #44

AI won't kill people with glowing red eye robots... hunter Nov 11 #46

No protection there Blue Full Moon Nov 11 #48

AI is much more limited than its promoters claim WSHazel Nov 12 #51

That AI narrative is such bs jfz9580m Nov 12 #53

If millions went to college, wouldn't create a race to the bottom for wages? Kaleva Nov 13 #62